It's a surprise Ipswich Town did not sanction double Portman Road transfer exit - it looked inevitable | OneFootball

Elkan Baggott and Cameron Humphreys remained at the club despite links elsewhere

The summer transfer window ended with somewhat of a twist at Portman Road, as Ipswich Town retained two players whose departures had appeared all but certain.

Elkan Baggott and Cameron Humphreys remained at the Championship club despite speculation linking them with moves away from Suffolk.

Kieran McKenna saw 11 new players sign for the Tractor Boys, including another centre-back in Cedric Kipre - where Baggott plays.

As for Humphreys, who is more of an attacking midfielder but capable of playing deeper, three more central/defensive midfield options were signed this window.

Marcelino Nunez swapped Norfolk for Suffolk in a £10m deal, Azor Matisuwa arrived from France for £7.8m and Jens Cajuste returned on loan with a mandatory buy clause if they get promoted.

This would've left both with more than compelling reasons to seek temporary moves elsewhere, and loan opportunities seemingly presented themselves right up until the deadline.

Elkan Baggott stayed put at Ipswich Town despite League One interest

Elkan Baggott's situation had all the hallmarks of a player destined for a loan exit.

The 22-year-old Indonesia international recently signed a new contract until 2028, and found himself the subject of concrete interest from League One outfit Peterborough United as deadline day approached.

Posh were in advanced talks to secure Baggott's services on a season-long loan, according to Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke.

The move did make sense for all involved. Peterborough sit bottom of League One, having already conceded 11 goals in their opening six fixtures - and Baggott could've gained regular minutes at a level where he's previously excelled.

During his spell at Blackpool last season, he made 18 league appearances - while a previous loan at Bristol Rovers had seen him feature 14 times.

The explanation likely lies in Ipswich's own defensive concerns though. Luke Woolfenden's departure to Coventry City on deadline day for a reported £4m left a gap in the squad that the club had hoped to fill.

Failed attempts to sign Manchester City youngster Stephen Mfuni on loan and a bid for Uruguay international Sebastian Caceres meant that Ipswich needed Baggott to stay.

With Dara O'Shea and Jacob Greaves the favoured partnership, and Kipre first behind them, Baggott is seemingly fourth choice at Town under McKenna.

Oxford United wanted Cameron Humphreys

21-year-old Cameron Humpreys spent the 24/25 campaign on loan at Wycombe Wanderers, where he contributed to 13 goals in 44 league games - scoring seven and assisting six.

TWTD reported that Oxford United could emerge as a potential destination for Humphreys on deadline day, with the connection stemming from Scott Mitchell's appointment as the U's head of recruitment.

Mitchell is a former Tractor Boys academy staff member who had been responsible for bringing the young midfielder to Wycombe during his time as their head of recruitment.

McKenna confirmed in late August that Humphreys was recovering from "a little issue" and is expected to return to training during the international break.

This could've been why he had to stay, but the club's squad registration requirements surely had to have played a part as well.

Under Championship regulations, clubs are limited to 25 senior players over the age of 21, with at least eight required to be homegrown. TWTD noted that Humphreys could provide cover at left-back and would fulfill the "club developed player" requirement in their squad. This potentially allows the club to name nine rather than eight substitutes.

Along with Woolfenden leaving on deadline day permanently, Conor Chaplin, Chiedozie Ogbene and Ali Al-Hamadi all secured loan moves elsewhere (Al-Hamadi's has an option to buy worth £3m).

Keeping both Baggott and Humphreys could very well be a blessing in disguise for Ipswich, and it presents an unexpected opportunity for each of them to try and force their way into McKenna's first-team plans at Portman Road.